Mammals All Around Us Join us for this free Zoom series on mammals that live in New York State. Each short 45-minute session will be jam-packed with educational fun! This program is for all youth who want to learn about mammals! It is open to 4-H members and non 4-H members alike as well as Read More…
Nature Challenge #7 – The Beauty of Bark!
For most of the year, trees are covered with leaves sometimes distracting our eyes from the beautiful bark of the tree. Now that the leaves are gone and the trees are bare, the bark is the star of the show. This week’s the challenge is to make some bark rubbings. Take a walk outside. Examine Read More…
Nature Challenge #6 – Look for Lichen!
There are over 13,000 species of lichen in the world and they come in a wide-range of colors and have very varied structures. Now that most of the leaves have fallen it is easier to spot lichen growing on their bark, but of course lichen can also be found growing on fence, rocks, and logs. Read More…
Nature Challenge #5 – Know your Native Evergreens!
In the fall all the trees lose their leaves leaving a barren and desolate landscape behind until spring. That is if you overlook all of the evergreens! Although their foliage is can be a somewhat muted green this time of year, our evergreen bushes and trees can break up an otherwise barren landscape and on Read More…
Nature Challenge #4 – Watch the Birds!
Although many birds fly south for the winter, there are some birds that stick around. If you step outside, close your eyes and listen you are likely catch the sound of a flock of Canada geese or a marauding crow. You might even catch the twittering of a black-capped chickadee or the song of a Read More…
Nature Challenge #3 – Look for Invasive Species
As you spend time outside in nature, you become more familiar with the flora (plants) and fauna (animals). Some plants are native to our area, while others have been introduced. Some of these introduced species are considered invasive meaning that they are nonnative to our area and can cause environmental or economic harm or harm Read More…
Nature Challenge #2 – Go Hiking!
Did you know that taking at least a 20 minute walk out in nature can significantly lower your stress hormone levels?1 This is a great time of year to get outside and go hiking. With leaf foliage in the Orange County near peak color, this is one of the most beautiful times of year to Read More…
Nature Challenge #1 – Get Outside!
Nature is all around us. No matter where you are, if you take some time to look around you may be surprised as to what you find—an ant crawling on the sidewalk, a bird flying overhead, a tree blowing in the breeze. This week’s the challenge is to spend ten minutes outside observing nature. Try Read More…
Get Outside! Nature Challenge Announcement
Next week starts our Get Outside! Nature Challenge. Every Friday for ten weeks starting Friday, October 22nd we will be posting activites that will encourage you to get outside and explore nature. We hope these challenges motivate everyone to get out in nature. Orange County Youth ages 5-19 and Orange County 4-H Members will have Read More…
Get Growing! All about Soil
Soil is such an important part of growing things and yet we often overlook it. Let’s take some time to learn more about it! What is soil made of? There are four main components of soil: organic material (0-10 %) minerals (40-50 %) water (~25 %) air (~25 %) Organic Material Most garden soils have Read More…